U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will discuss the complexities of North Korea, trade and other things with President Moon Jae-in.

"We're going to have tremendous discussions tonight. I know you've been discussing with our people some of the complexities of North Korea and trade and other things, and we'll be discussing them all as we progress -- and it could be very well late into the evening," Trump said at the start of a White House dinner with Moon, according to a pool report.

"We very much respect you, and we very much respect the people of South Korea," he said.

Trump also congratulated Moon on his election victory.

"It was a great victory, and you did a fantastic job," Trump said. "A lot of people didn't expect that, and I did expect it. I thought that was going to happen. So I want to congratulate you very much."